Syndicate

OLDSMAR, Fla. (March 28, 2009) Stumbling Block captured the final leg of the Tampa Turf Test today, besting nine other horses in the 1 3/8 miles contest over the lawn. Stumbling Block is trained by Tampa Bay Downs’s leading trainer Jamie Ness, is owned by Web’s Gem Stable and was ridden to victory by top Tampa jockey Daniel Centeno.

Stumbling Block, a six-year-old Illinois-bred son of Out of Place, settled behind early leaders to edge out second-place finisher Special Tiger by a neck; Onotheregoestokyo rounded out the trifecta, which yielded $1,881.20 for a $2 wager.

Finish Lines… Jockeys Ron Allen, Jr. and Rosemary Homeister, Jr. booted home three winners each on the afternoon’s twelve race program; Allen has now taken 62 trips to the Winner’s Circle for the current Tampa meting, while Homeister has notched 76 victories in 74 days of racing. Allen got his first victory of the day aboard Sweet Inspiration, a five-year-old daughter of Suave Prospect who was bred in Florida by Freddie Hyatt, is owned by Wonderland Syndicate and was conditioned to victory by trainer Andrew Williams.

Allen struck again with Wynn Wynn Deal, a three-year-old Concerto colt bred in Florida by T. Wynn Jolley and Mary Sue Jolley. Wynn Wynn Deal carries the colors of owners T. Wynn Jolley and Jake Scott and is trained by T. Wynn Jolley. Ronnie Allen, Jr. took home his third victory on the card aboard Burning Light, this time for conditioner Gerald Bennett and owners Mike W. Anderson and Harold Queen. Burning Light is a three-year-old Burning Roma colt out of the Carson City mare Lightning Gal and was bred in Florida by Barbara Anderson.

Homeister got her first win in today’s opener aboard Awesome Style, a three-year-old Awesome Again filly carrying the colors of Betty and John Hamilton and trained by Kathleen O’Connell. That was one of two victories for O’Connell; the conditioner teamed up with Homeister for another win in the tenth race with Time for Truth. The Is It True gelding was bred in Florida by Rene McCullern and is owned by Star Racing Stable. Homeister rounded out her hat trick aboard Streamin Heat, this time for owner Richard Ravin and trainer Larry Rivelli.

The Lambholm South Race of the Week was captured today by Premeir Take under jockey Daniel Centeno. The five-year-old son of Premeirship was bred in Florida by Mr. and Mrs. Jim Cook and is under the care of trainer Julie Luhr for owner Juan Arriagada.

Racing resumes tomorrow, March 29 with an eleven race card; there is a Pick 6 carryover of $972.72. The Silks Poker Room is open daily from 12:30 PM through 12:30 AM, and the Downs Golf Practice Facility is open on Mondays from 10:00 AM through 10:00 PM and on Tuesdays through Sundays from 8:30 AM through 10:00 PM.